Flex pull tab for surface mount connector

Abstract

A flexible pull tab and a surface mount connector attached on opposite sides of a flexible printed circuit board is disclosed. The flexible pull tab is folded back so that the tab ends touch to ensure easy gripping for removal of connector perpendicular to the connector.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for allowing a user to disconnect a first electrical connector from a second electrical connector, the apparatus comprising: a flexible conductor having a first side and a second side, the first electrical connector being attached to said first side of said flexible conductor;   first attaching means for attaching the first electrical connector to said first side of said flexible conductor;   a flexible tab having a first side, a second side, a first end, and a second end, said first side of said tab being attached to said second side of said flexible conductor at a location opposite the first electrical connector, said first end and said second end extending freely away from said location of attachment of said tab to said flexible conductor a sufficient distance to allow said first end and said second end to be readily grasped by a user for disconnecting the first electrical connector from the second electrical connector; and   second attaching means for attaching said tab to said second side of said flexible conductor adjacent the first electrical connector.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second attaching means comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a plate attached to said second side of said flexible tab; and   third attaching means for attaching said plate to said flexible tab overlaying the first electrical connector.   
     
     
       4. Apparatus of claim 3 wherein said third attaching means comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first, second and third attaching means comprises an adhesive and a locking pin. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first, second and third attaching means comprises a locking pin. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible tab has a first end and a second end and has a sufficient surface area so that when attached to the flexible conductor the tab can be folded back for disconnecting the first electrical connector from the second electrical connector. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible conductor is a flexible printed circuit board. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first electrical connector has a first end and a second end; a first bore disposed in said first end of the first electrical connector;   a second bore disposed in said second end of the first electrical connector; and   said first bore and said second bore being substantially perpendicular to said flexible printed circuit board.   
     
     
       10. Apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a locking pin wherein said locking pin extends through said flexible printed circuit board and said flexible tab, and is received in one of said bores of the first electrical connector. 
     
     
       11. Apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a backing plate having a firs bore and a second bore to operably allow said locking pin to be received in one of said plate bores to attach said plate, said tab, said flexible printed circuit board and the first electrical connector. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus for disconnecting a first electrical connector from a second electrical connector, comprising: a flexible conductor having a first side and a second side, the first electrical connector being attached to said first side of said flexible conductor;   first attaching means for attaching the first electrical connector to said first side of said flexible conductor;   a flexible tab having a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end, said first side of said tab being attached to said second side of said flexible conductor at a location opposite the first electrical connector for disconnecting the first electrical connector from the second electrical connector, wherein said flexible tab has a sufficient surface area so that when attached to the flexible conductor, the tab can be folded back for disconnecting the first electrical connector from the second electrical connector and wherein sufficient tab surface area projects from each end of said flexible tab to allow the ends of said flexible tab to touch when said flexible tab is folded back; and   second attaching means for attaching said tab to said second side of said flexible conductor adjacent the first electrical connector.